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20120817_NYT_MALTA 48 images Created 1 Mar 2014

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  • Marsa, Malta - 17 August, 2012: Sub-saharan migrants play pool in one of the recreation rooms of the Marsa Open Centre, in Marsa, Malta,  on 17 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
The Marsa Open Centre's capacity is of 650 people, most of which are from Somalia. The centre's popoulation is composed of immigrants who received subsidary protection, asylum seekers (immigrants who applied and wait for their case to be handled), and rejected asylum seekers.<br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres.  All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center. The migrants who do not receive neither refugee status of subsidiary protection are considered illegal, though living in the open centers. They end up living in Malta for months or years, while some go aboad illegally.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120817_NYT_Malta__MG_5653.jpg
  • Mellieha, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Hassan Mahamed Dalmar, 21, places an umbrella on the beach of Mellieha Bay, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Hassan left Somalia in 2007 and went to Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya and arrived in Malta in 2009 after paying a smuggler $900 to board a boat with 160 immigrants. After 7 days, the boat had finished its gas, food and water. They were saved by a Finnish ship that brought them to Malta. A finnish worker who helped Hassan told him: "You are born again now. Pray the Lord and start a new life". Upon his arrival in Malta he was put in a detention center for 12 months. His application for refugee status was rejected. He made it to Belgium in August 2011 and was deported back to Malta in January 2012. Upon his return he was imprisoned for 4 months for traveling illegally. He was released on May 28, 2012. Since then he has been working, sleeping outdoors and living in the beach of Mellieha Bay, where he sets up umbrellas and sunbeds from 6:30am to 7:30pm.<br />
<br />
Some immigrants work, live, sleep and eat for the entire summer season in the Maltese beaches. Their work consists of waking up at 6:30am and unpile and place sunbeds, cushions and umbrellas at the beach before tourists arrive. Upon their arrival at the beach, tourists are guided by the migrants to the spot they choose. Umbrellas and sunbeds cost 5 euros each. The toursts pay the migrants, whom brings the money to the owner. Each migrant is paid 25 euros a day. By 9am, there are about 90 umbrellas and 180 sunbeds ready for the tourists.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6315.jpg
  • Mellieha, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Somali immigrant Summy Abdi Ahmed, 23, carries an umbrella at the Mellieha Bay beach while a Maltese woman reads the newspaper at sunrise, on 19 August, 2012.  Summy eft Somalia in 2007 and arrived in Malta in 2008. Went to Sweden in March 2011 and was deported back to Malta in September in September 2011 and jailed for 2 days.<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6363.jpg
  • Mellieha, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Hassan Mahamed Dalmar, 21, an immigrant from North Somalia, rests and smokes a sigarette after digging holes in the sand with a hoe and placing umbrellas the Mellieha Bay beach, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Hassan left Somalia in 2007 and went to Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya and arrived in Malta in 2009 after paying a smuggler $900 to board a boat with 160 immigrants. After 7 days, the boat had finished its gas, food and water. They were saved by a Finnish ship that brought them to Malta. A finnish worker who helped Hassan told him: "You are born again now. Pray the Lord and start a new life". Upon his arrival in Malta he was put in a detention center for 12 months. His application for refugee status was rejected. He made it to Belgium in August 2011 and was deported back to Malta in January 2012. Upon his return he was imprisoned for 4 months for traveling illegally. He was released on May 28, 2012. Since then he has been working, sleeping outdoors and living in the beach of Mellieha Bay, where he sets up umbrellas and sunbeds from 6:30am to 7:30pm.<br />
<br />
Some immigrants work, live, sleep and eat for the entire summer season in the Maltese beaches. Their work consists of waking up at 6:30am and unpile and place sunbeds, cushions and umbrellas at the beach before tourists arrive. Upon their arrival at the beach, tourists are guided by the migrants to the spot they choose. Umbrellas and sunbeds cost 5 euros each. The toursts pay the migrants, whom brings the money to the owner. Each migrant is paid 25 euros a day. By 9am, there are about 90 umbrellas and 180 sunbeds ready for the tourists.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6427.jpg
  • Mellieha, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Hassan Mahamed Dalmar, 21, an immigrant from North Somalia, carries cushions in front of the kiosk he works for at the Mellieha Bay beach, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Hassan left Somalia in 2007 and went to Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya and arrived in Malta in 2009 after paying a smuggler $900 to board a boat with 160 immigrants. After 7 days, the boat had finished its gas, food and water. They were saved by a Finnish ship that brought them to Malta. A finnish worker who helped Hassan told him: "You are born again now. Pray the Lord and start a new life". Upon his arrival in Malta he was put in a detention center for 12 months. His application for refugee status was rejected. He made it to Belgium in August 2011 and was deported back to Malta in January 2012. Upon his return he was imprisoned for 4 months for traveling illegally. He was released on May 28, 2012. Since then he has been working, sleeping outdoors and living in the beach of Mellieha Bay, where he sets up umbrellas and sunbeds from 6:30am to 7:30pm.<br />
<br />
Some immigrants work, live, sleep and eat for the entire summer season in the Maltese beaches. Their work consists of waking up at 6:30am and unpile and place sunbeds, cushions and umbrellas at the beach before tourists arrive. Upon their arrival at the beach, tourists are guided by the migrants to the spot they choose. Umbrellas and sunbeds cost 5 euros each. The toursts pay the migrants, whom brings the money to the owner. Each migrant is paid 25 euros a day. By 9am, there are about 90 umbrellas and 180 sunbeds ready for the tourists.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6448.jpg
  • Mellieha, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Hassan Mahamed Dalmar, 21, an immigrant from North Somalia, carries a bag with a dead seagull he found on the beach he works at in Mellieha Bay, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Hassan left Somalia in 2007 and went to Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya and arrived in Malta in 2009 after paying a smuggler $900 to board a boat with 160 immigrants. After 7 days, the boat had finished its gas, food and water. They were saved by a Finnish ship that brought them to Malta. A finnish worker who helped Hassan told him: "You are born again now. Pray the Lord and start a new life". Upon his arrival in Malta he was put in a detention center for 12 months. His application for refugee status was rejected. He made it to Belgium in August 2011 and was deported back to Malta in January 2012. Upon his return he was imprisoned for 4 months for traveling illegally. He was released on May 28, 2012. Since then he has been working, sleeping outdoors and living in the beach of Mellieha Bay, where he sets up umbrellas and sunbeds from 6:30am to 7:30pm.<br />
<br />
Some immigrants work, live, sleep and eat for the entire summer season in the Maltese beaches. Their work consists of waking up at 6:30am and unpile and place sunbeds, cushions and umbrellas at the beach before tourists arrive. Upon their arrival at the beach, tourists are guided by the migrants to the spot they choose. Umbrellas and sunbeds cost 5 euros each. The toursts pay the migrants, whom brings the money to the owner. Each migrant is paid 25 euros a day. By 9am, there are about 90 umbrellas and 180 sunbeds ready for the tourists.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6543.jpg
  • Mellieha, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Hassan Mahamed Dalmar, 21, an immigrant from North Somalia, receives orders from his boss who tells him where to place the umbrella he's carrying, in Mellieha Bay, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Hassan left Somalia in 2007 and went to Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya and arrived in Malta in 2009 after paying a smuggler $900 to board a boat with 160 immigrants. After 7 days, the boat had finished its gas, food and water. They were saved by a Finnish ship that brought them to Malta. A finnish worker who helped Hassan told him: "You are born again now. Pray the Lord and start a new life". Upon his arrival in Malta he was put in a detention center for 12 months. His application for refugee status was rejected. He made it to Belgium in August 2011 and was deported back to Malta in January 2012. Upon his return he was imprisoned for 4 months for traveling illegally. He was released on May 28, 2012. Since then he has been working, sleeping outdoors and living in the beach of Mellieha Bay, where he sets up umbrellas and sunbeds from 6:30am to 7:30pm.<br />
<br />
Some immigrants work, live, sleep and eat for the entire summer season in the Maltese beaches. Their work consists of waking up at 6:30am and unpile and place sunbeds, cushions and umbrellas at the beach before tourists arrive. Upon their arrival at the beach, tourists are guided by the migrants to the spot they choose. Umbrellas and sunbeds cost 5 euros each. The toursts pay the migrants, whom brings the money to the owner. Each migrant is paid 25 euros a day. By 9am, there are about 90 umbrellas and 180 sunbeds ready for the tourists.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6561.jpg
  • Mellieha, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Hassan Mahamed Dalmar, 21, an immigrant from North Somalia, places an umbrella for a couple of tourists in Mellieha Bay, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Hassan left Somalia in 2007 and went to Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya and arrived in Malta in 2009 after paying a smuggler $900 to board a boat with 160 immigrants. After 7 days, the boat had finished its gas, food and water. They were saved by a Finnish ship that brought them to Malta. A finnish worker who helped Hassan told him: "You are born again now. Pray the Lord and start a new life". Upon his arrival in Malta he was put in a detention center for 12 months. His application for refugee status was rejected. He made it to Belgium in August 2011 and was deported back to Malta in January 2012. Upon his return he was imprisoned for 4 months for traveling illegally. He was released on May 28, 2012. Since then he has been working, sleeping outdoors and living in the beach of Mellieha Bay, where he sets up umbrellas and sunbeds from 6:30am to 7:30pm.<br />
<br />
Some immigrants work, live, sleep and eat for the entire summer season in the Maltese beaches. Their work consists of waking up at 6:30am and unpile and place sunbeds, cushions and umbrellas at the beach before tourists arrive. Upon their arrival at the beach, tourists are guided by the migrants to the spot they choose. Umbrellas and sunbeds cost 5 euros each. The toursts pay the migrants, whom brings the money to the owner. Each migrant is paid 25 euros a day. By 9am, there are about 90 umbrellas and 180 sunbeds ready for the tourists.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6569.jpg
  • Mellieha, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Hassan Mahamed Dalmar, 21, an immigrant from North Somalia, waits for new customers arriving at the beach in Mellieha Bay, Malta,  on 19 August, 2012. Hassan left Somalia in 2007 and went to Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya and arrived in Malta in 2009 after paying a smuggler $900 to board a boat with 160 immigrants. After 7 days, the boat had finished its gas, food and water. They were saved by a Finnish ship that brought them to Malta. A finnish worker who helped Hassan told him: "You are born again now. Pray the Lord and start a new life". Upon his arrival in Malta he was put in a detention center for 12 months. His application for refugee status was rejected. He made it to Belgium in August 2011 and was deported back to Malta in January 2012. Upon his return he was imprisoned for 4 months for traveling illegally. He was released on May 28, 2012. Since then he has been working, sleeping outdoors and living in the beach of Mellieha Bay, where he sets up umbrellas and sunbeds from 6:30am to 7:30pm.<br />
<br />
Some immigrants work, live, sleep and eat for the entire summer season in the Maltese beaches. Their work consists of waking up at 6:30am and unpile and place sunbeds, cushions and umbrellas at the beach before tourists arrive. Upon their arrival at the beach, tourists are guided by the migrants to the spot they choose. Umbrellas and sunbeds cost 5 euros each. The toursts pay the migrants, whom brings the money to the owner. Each migrant is paid 25 euros a day. By 9am, there are about 90 umbrellas and 180 sunbeds ready for the tourists.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6671.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 19 August, 2012: Immigrants hang their clothes between the containers they live in at the Hal Far Tent Village Open Centre in Hal Far, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. <br />
The Hal Far Tent Village, initially composed of tents when it first opened, is composed today of 100 containers with no water where the immigrants live for months, and sometimes years. Hal Far (which translates as "Rat's Town") is an industrial area of Malta which hosts two open centres for immigrants. The open centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6717.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 19 August, 2012: Ethiopian immigrants stand in front of the containers of the Hal Far Tent Village open centre they live in, in Hal Far, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.The Hal Far Tent Village, initially composed of tents when it first opened, is composed today of 100 containers with no water where the immigrants live for months, and sometimes years. Hal Far (which translates as "Rat's Town") is an industrial area of Malta which hosts two open centres for immigrants.  The open centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6731.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 19 August, 2012: A group of Sudanese immigrants in their car visits their friends at the Hal Far Tent Village open centre, in Hal Far, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. The Hal Far Tent Village, initially composed of tents when it first opened, is composed today of 100 containers with no water where the immigrants live for months, and sometimes years. Hal Far (which translates as "Rat's Town") is an industrial area of Malta which hosts two open centres for immigrants. The open centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6744.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012: Shami Taha Mohammed, a 29 years old Sudanese immigrant who arrived in Malta in 2004, is in the kitchen of the farm house he shares with other Sub-Saharan migrants before celebrating the end of Ramadan with Sudanese and Maltese friends in Zurrieq, Malta,  on 19 August, 2012. Shami co-founded the Migrants' 'Network for Equality' in 2010, after one migrant committed suicide, to give a 'voice' to the sub-saharan community. He works in a company specialized in ship maintenance. Speaking about integration of the migrants in the Maltese society, he says: "We're integrated with the Maltese, but there's racism at the top, among those who should be taking care of the refugees". He continues speakng about the amount of African workers in construction companies: "The Maltese don't like to work in construction. We built the new hospital!".. Shami sends back money to his family in Sudan, to his mother, two sisters and brother. He's currently writing a book called "Get on the boat". "Outside our country we are nobody. We are just black people", Shami says. Upon his arrival in Malta from Libya in 2004, Shami was in a detention center for 6 months.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6750.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Two Sudanese migrants cut up and clean vegetables for the dinner, organized by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equity Shami Taha Mohammed, celebrating the end of Ramadan in a farm house in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6757.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Sudanese migrants and Maltese residents were invited by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equality Shami Taja Mohammed to celebrate the of Ramadan  in a farm house in in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6808.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Sudanese migrants and a Maltese resident were invited by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equality Shami Taja Mohammed to celebrate the of Ramadan  in a farm house in in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6821.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Sudanese migrants were invited by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equality Shami Taja Mohammed (left) to celebrate the of Ramadan  in a farm house in in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6838.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  A Sudanese migrant and a Maltese resident were invited by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equality Shami Taja Mohammed (left) to celebrate the of Ramadan  in a farm house in in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6852.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012: A Maltese resident were invited by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equality Shami Taja Mohammed (left) to celebrate the of Ramadan  in a farm house in in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6857.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012: ASudanese migrants bring the dinner from the kitchen to the rooftop of a farm house where they celebrate the end of Ramadan in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.  Sudanese migrants and Maltese residents were invited by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equality Shami Taja Mohammed to celebrate the of Ramadan in the house he shares with other Sub-Saharn migrants.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6903.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012: Sudanese migrants taked off their shoes before sitting on the carpet whey they eat dinner to celebrate the end of Ramadan in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Sudanese migrants and Maltese residents were invited by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equality Shami Taja Mohammed to celebrate the of Ramadan in the house he shares with other Sub-Saharn migrants.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_6970.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012: Shami Taha Mohammed, a 29 years old Sudanese immigrant who arrived in Malta in 2004, is in the kitchen of the farm house he shares with other Sub-Saharan migrants before celebrating the end of Ramadan with Sudanese and Maltese friends in Zurrieq, Malta,  on 19 August, 2012. Shami co-founded the Migrants' 'Network for Equality' in 2010, after one migrant committed suicide, to give a 'voice' to the sub-saharan community. He works in a company specialized in ship maintenance. Speaking about integration of the migrants in the Maltese society, he says: "We're integrated with the Maltese, but there's racism at the top, among those who should be taking care of the refugees". He continues speakng about the amount of African workers in construction companies: "The Maltese don't like to work in construction. We built the new hospital!".. Shami sends back money to his family in Sudan, to his mother, two sisters and brother. He's currently writing a book called "Get on the boat". "Outside our country we are nobody. We are just black people", Shami says. Upon his arrival in Malta from Libya in 2004, Shami was in a detention center for 6 months.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_7001.jpg
  • Zurrieq, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  A Sudanese migrant sings after dinner during a celebration for the end of Ramadan organized by the co-founder of the Migrant's Network for Equity Shami Taha Mohammed, on the rooftop of a farm house in Zurrieq, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120819_NYT_Malta__MG_7041.jpg
  • Paceville, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  A bouncer outside a club in Paceville, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Malta has reached a record in 2011 for inbound tourism with approximately 1.4 million tourists, equivalent to an increase of 5.6% when compared to 2010. According to the Malta Tourism Authority, each year Malta hosts over one million visitors and this accounts for 23% of GDP. Thirty per cent of the Maltese population is directly employed in this fast growing sector.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7131.jpg
  • Paceville, Malta - 19 August, 2012:  Tourists stand outside a club in Paceville, Malta, on 19 August, 2012. Malta has reached a record in 2011 for inbound tourism with approximately 1.4 million tourists, equivalent to an increase of 5.6% when compared to 2010. According to the Malta Tourism Authority, each year Malta hosts over one million visitors and this accounts for 23% of GDP. Thirty per cent of the Maltese population is directly employed in this fast growing sector.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7137.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012: Blocks of limestone are piled up by the containers of the Hal Far Tent Village open centre where sub-saharan migrants live, in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
The Hal Far Tent Village, initially composed of tents when it first opened, is composed today of 100 containers with no water where the immigrants live for months, and sometimes years. Hal Far (which translates as "Rat's Town") is an industrial area of Malta which hosts two open centres for immigrants. The open centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7166.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012: Guuleed Abdihe, a 16 years old migrant from Somalia, is in the Hal Far Ten Village open centre at sunrise in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012. Gulled arrived in Malta a month ago travelling from Somali by himself.<br />
<br />
The Hal Far Tent Village, initially composed of tents when it first opened, is composed today of 100 containers with no water where the immigrants live for months, and sometimes years. Hal Far (which translates as "Rat's Town") is an industrial area of Malta which hosts two open centres for immigrants. The open centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7196.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012:  A migrant stands outside the container he lives in at the Hangar Open Centre, in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012. <br />
<br />
The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7217.jpg
  • Valletta, Malta - 20 August, 2012: (L-R) Mario Caruana, Director General (Operations) and Joseph St John, Director of Policy Department of the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, as they are interviewed in Valletta, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7246.jpg
  • Valletta, Malta - 20 August, 2012: Tourists watch the change of the guard at the Grand Master's Palace which houses the Office of the President of Malta and the House of Representatives in Valletta, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
The Republic of Malta is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean. Malta covers just over 316 km2 (122 sq mi) in land area, making it one of the world's smallest states.It is also one of the most densely populated countries worldwide. 1,597 migrants of 30 different nationalities arrived in Malta by boat in 2011. A person arriving in Malta without a valid passport or visa can be detained in terms of immigration law for a period up to 18 months (12 months in case of asylum seekers). Vulnerable individuals can be released early after vulnerability assessment procedures are conducted by the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS).<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7248.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012: (R-L) Somali migrant Abdullahi Ali Mohamed (25), his wife Dunia Ahmed Mohamed (29) and their daughter Bofana Mohamed (6) are in a recreational room of the Hal Far Family Center in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012. Abdullahi arrived with his family in Malta on May 27, 2012, was held in detention with them for 9 days before being transferred to the family centre. Him and his family left Somalia because of the war on May 25th 2011 and took them about a year to arrive in Malta. They stayed in Libya about 9 months. Though smugglers in Libya ask $900 to each migrant who wants to cross the Mediterrannean Sea to reach Europe, Abdullahi agreed with one smuggler to pay $900 for his entire family, since it's all he had. Abdullahi and his family had one bottle of water for the 37 hours journey from Libya to Malta.<br />
<br />
1,597 migrants of 30 different nationalities arrived in Malta by boat in 2011. A person arriving in Malta without a valid passport or visa can be detained in terms of immigration law for a period up to 18 months (12 months in case of asylum seekers). Vulnerable individuals can be released early after vulnerability assessment procedures are conducted by the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS).<br />
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Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7283.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012: A Sub-Saharan migrant buys some onions by a Maltese pitchman who sells goods with his truck in front of the Hal Far Tent Village open centre in Hal Far, Malta,  on 20 August, 2012. <br />
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Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7312.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012:  Two Sub-Saharan migrants enter the Hal Far Hangar Site open centre after buying some vegetables in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
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The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
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Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7321.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012:  A Sub-Saharan migrant ridese his bike between the containers of the Hal Far Hangar Site in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
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The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7337.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012:  Somali migrant Daher Abdi Ali, 28, stands in fron of his bed in the container he lives in and that he shares with other 9 migrants in the Hal Far Hangar Site in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
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The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7390.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012: A Ghanaian migrant stands outside the container he lives with other 9 Sub-Saharn migrants, including his 16 years old brother, in the Hal Far Hangar Site in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7512.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012:  Two Ghanaian brothers stand in the container they live in and that they share with other 8 Sub-Saharan migrants in the Hal Far Hangar Site in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7527.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012:  Two Ghanaian brothers stand in the container they live in and that they share with other 8 Sub-Saharan migrants in the Hal Far Hangar Site in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
<br />
The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7531.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 20 August, 2012:  Ethiopian migrants stay outside because of the excessive heat of the containers they live in at the Hal Far Hangar Site in Hal Far, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
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The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
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Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7561.jpg
  • St. Julian's, Malta - 19 August, 2012: The St Julians Band plays and participates at the celebrations in honour of Saint Julian, the patron saint in St Julian, Malta, on 19 August, 2012.<br />
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Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120820_NYT_Malta__MG_7583.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 21 August, 2012:  A hand drawn heart stating "Love is life" appears in one of the 34 containers where migrants live, at the Hal Far Hangar Site in Hal Far, Malta, on 21 August, 2012.<br />
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The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120821_NYT_Malta__MG_7611.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 21 August, 2012:  The interior of a container of the Hal Far Hangar Site where migrants live, in Hal Far, Malta on 21 August, 2012. Each one of the 34 containers can host up to 10 migrants. The Hangar Open Center is a field with an ex-aircraft hangar which, until 2011, included Swiss Red Cross tents in a dark, non lit space in very poor conditions and with inflamable oil on the floor. Today, the hangar is closed and the migrants live in 34 external containers with no water. <br />
<br />
The Open Centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120821_NYT_Malta__MG_7617.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 21 August, 2012:  Somali migrants wait to be picked up to be hired as day laborers in front of the Hal Far Tent Village open centre, in Hal Far, Malta, on 21 August, 2012.<br />
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The Hal Far Tent Village, initially composed of tents when it first opened, is composed today of 100 containers with no water where the immigrants live for months, and sometimes years. Hal Far (which translates as "Rat's Town") is an industrial area of Malta which hosts two open centres for immigrants. The open centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120821_NYT_Malta__MG_7656.jpg
  • Hal Far, Malta - 21 August, 2012:  Somali migrants wait to be picked up to be hired as day laborers in front of the Hal Far Tent Village open centre, in Hal Far, Malta, on 21 August, 2012.<br />
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The Hal Far Tent Village, initially composed of tents when it first opened, is composed today of 100 containers with no water where the immigrants live for months, and sometimes years. Hal Far (which translates as "Rat's Town") is an industrial area of Malta which hosts two open centres for immigrants. The open centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120821_NYT_Malta__MG_7662.jpg
  • Valletta, Malta - 20 August, 2012: A guard stands stills in front of the Grand Master's Palace which houses the Office of the President of Malta and the House of Representatives in Valletta, Malta, on 20 August, 2012.<br />
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The Republic of Malta is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean. Malta covers just over 316 km2 (122 sq mi) in land area, making it one of the world's smallest states.It is also one of the most densely populated countries worldwide. 1,597 migrants of 30 different nationalities arrived in Malta by boat in 2011. A person arriving in Malta without a valid passport or visa can be detained in terms of immigration law for a period up to 18 months (12 months in case of asylum seekers). Vulnerable individuals can be released early after vulnerability assessment procedures are conducted by the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS).<br />
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Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120821_NYT_Malta__MG_7724.jpg
  • Paceville, Malta - 21 August, 2012:  View of the Portomaso habor in Paceville, Malta, on 21 August, 2012. Portomaso in Paceville, St. Julian's, Malta, is a waterfront residential development covering an area of 128,000 square metres (31 acres). Portomaso also encompasses one of Malta’s Marinas.<br />
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Malta has reached a record in 2011 for inbound tourism with approximately 1.4 million tourists, equivalent to an increase of 5.6% when compared to 2010. According to the Malta Tourism Authority, each year Malta hosts over one million visitors and this accounts for 23% of GDP. Thirty per cent of the Maltese population is directly employed in this fast growing sector.<br />
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1,597 migrants of 30 different nationalities arrived in Malta by boat in 2011. A person arriving in Malta without a valid passport or visa can be detained in terms of immigration law for a period up to 18 months (12 months in case of asylum seekers). Vulnerable individuals can be released early after vulnerability assessment procedures are conducted by the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS).<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120821_NYT_Malta__MG_7807.jpg
  • Paceville, Malta - 21 August, 2012: Clients of the Hilton Hotel relax in one of the four pools of the resort in Portomaso, Paceville, Malta, on 21 August, 2012. <br />
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Portomaso in Paceville, St. Julian's, Malta, is a waterfront residential development covering an area of 128,000 square metres (31 acres). Portomaso also encompasses one of Malta’s Marinas.<br />
<br />
Malta has reached a record in 2011 for inbound tourism with approximately 1.4 million tourists, equivalent to an increase of 5.6% when compared to 2010. According to the Malta Tourism Authority, each year Malta hosts over one million visitors and this accounts for 23% of GDP. Thirty per cent of the Maltese population is directly employed in this fast growing sector.<br />
<br />
1,597 migrants of 30 different nationalities arrived in Malta by boat in 2011. A person arriving in Malta without a valid passport or visa can be detained in terms of immigration law for a period up to 18 months (12 months in case of asylum seekers). Vulnerable individuals can be released early after vulnerability assessment procedures are conducted by the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS).<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120821_NYT_Malta__MG_7817.jpg
  • Malta - 21 August, 2012: Aerial view of the Hal Far Tent Village (center) and of the Hangar Site (bottom left) with respectively 100 and 34 containers where migrants live, in Hal Far, Malta,  on 21 August, 2012.<br />
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The open centres in Malta serve as a temporary accomodation facility, but they ended becoming permanent accomodation centres, except for those immigrants who receive subsidiary protection or refugee status and that are sent to countries such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and others. All immigrants who enter in Malta illegally are detained. Upon arrival to Malta, irregular migrants and asylum seekers are sent to one of three dedicated immigration detention facilities. Once apprehended by the authorities, immigrants remain in detention even after they apply for refugee status. detention lasts as long as it takes for asylum claims to be determined. This usually takes months; asylum seekers often wait five to 10 months for their first interview with the Refugee Commissioner. Asylum seekers may be detained for up to 12 months: at this point, if their claim is still pending, they are released and transferred to an Open Center.<br />
<br />
Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times
    CIPG_20120821_NYT_Malta__MG_7868.jpg